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Rathlinís colourful past brought back to life

Thursday, 28 September 2017

Jim Curry, Noel McCurdy and Brian McLarnon displaying the booklet which brings together Sam Henry's pictures of Rathlin Island and its people

RATHLIN Island's colourful past has been brought back to life by a new community project.Working alongside Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council's Museum Services, islanders have explored Sam Henry's unique photo collection.It's the inspiration behind a photographic slideshow and booklet, which were launched on Thursday, September 21. The event was attended by Sam Henry's grandson, Gordon Craig, who kindly donated the collection to Coleraine Museum.The island's residents were able to put names to faces in Sam's photographs and tell some of the stories of their lives. During the event, held in the Manor House, members of the island choir sang some of the songs from his very special collection.The Rathlin material captures life on the island dating back to the early part of the 20th century. Sam (1878 - 1952) worked as a Pensions and Excise Officer, but he was also an avid folklorist, historian, photographer, ornithologist, naturalist, genealogist and musician.